Chapter 23: A Simple Matter

Since Hu Sanniang was so straightforward, Su Wu naturally did not stand on ceremony. However, her table was already crowded with several burly men.

Seeing this, some of them immediately prepared to stand up and offer their seats upon hearing her words.

Su Wu spoke up directly, "How about we push the two tables together, Sanniang?"

"That would be excellent." Hu Sanniang turned and beckoned; it was clear those burly men were retainers from her estate.

The men busied themselves for a moment, the tables were joined, and everyone took their seats. Hu Sanniang, as the host, sat right next to the guest of honor, Su Wu, without the slightest hesitation.

"Sanniang is quite skilled in martial arts, I hear?" Su Wu asked in casual conversation.

Hu Sanniang held her head high. "I have practiced since childhood. With my twin sun-and-moon blades, I have rarely met a match in these parts. I wonder, what of the Head Constable’s own skills?"

Su Wu replied modestly, "In the way of weaponry, I am but a beginner. However, in the arts of unarmed combat and wrestling, I have a few tricks up my sleeve."

Wu Song interjected, "My brother’s skill in unarmed combat and wrestling is the finest in the world. Ten of those so-called heroes of the pugilistic world put together wouldn't compare to a fraction of his talent. As for weaponry, he learns quickly; it won't be long before he is a master in that, too."

Su Wu felt somewhat embarrassed hearing this. Wu Song was truly arrogant these days, but having seen so many "heroes" of the underworld, he found them all to be lacking, which naturally led to his disdain for the lot.

Especially now that Su Wu had the experience of fighting for his life and had developed a newfound ferocity, Wu Song was even more convinced that his brother would be unstoppable in a real life-or-death struggle.

Hu Sanniang was momentarily stunned. Self-aggrandizement was standard fare for martial artists, but to this degree...

Either these men were truly peerless experts, or they were simply ignorant of the wider world. Judging by their reputation and their demeanor, it did not seem like the latter.

Hu Sanniang waved a hand. "On Dulong Ridge, there are three estates: the Zhu, the Li, and the Hu. We all love to make the acquaintance of heroes from all walks of life. Since Head Constable Su and this..."

"I am Wu Song!" Wu Song said, cupping his hands in a salute.

"Since you and Brother Wu Song have arrived here, how could we not get to know one another?" Hu Sanniang asked for their opinion.

Su Wu pondered for a moment and said, "We have urgent business in Dongping Prefecture, so I fear we cannot stay long."

Wu Song, however, was his usual spirited self. "Brother, it won't take long—just a quick exchange. We can pick up our pace this afternoon and will surely reach Dongping Prefecture by nightfall."

Su Wu rubbed his forehead. This young man...

Hu Sanniang did not wait for Su Wu to say more. "Good, let us drink then! It is decided. Someone, go inform Master Li and the three Zhu brothers. Tell them to come over once they have eaten, and tell them that Head Constable Su of Yanggu County is here to spar."

What on earth?

Is this the kind of person you are, Hu Sanniang? Who asked to spar?

It was all because of Wu Song’s bluntness. He spoke the truth as he saw it, but when others heard "just a quick exchange," how could they possibly remain polite?

Wu Song, looking as radiant as ever, added, "A friendly exchange, nothing more."

Mid-enthusiasm, Wu Song turned to look at Su Wu. "Brother..."

What else could Su Wu say? He sighed, "Fine, fine. But we must agree on one thing: if they ask us to stay for more drinking, you are absolutely not to agree."

Su Wu could already foresee what would happen. In the pugilistic world, once you truly spar and realize that no one is a fraud... how could they possibly escape the ensuing banquet?

Wu Song nodded vigorously. "Don't worry, brother. I won't let it interfere with our business."

Wu Song was truly a man born for the pugilistic world.

Several burly men rode off, galloping in all directions to summon the others.

The meal was consumed quickly, and the wine was merely sipped as a courtesy; only Wu Song drank a few extra cups.

Once they had finished, they waited but a moment in the small training ground of the Hu Estate before a group of riders arrived, followed shortly by another. It was evident that the three estates were quite close, with very strong relations.

Li Ying, the "Striking Hawk," was slightly older, wearing a fur cloak with eyes as sharp as a hawk's. The three Zhu brothers—Zhu Long, Zhu Hu, and Zhu Biao—were all broad-shouldered and sturdy.

Hu Sanniang’s brother, Hu Cheng, had also arrived. He seemed a more honest and grounded man, far less extroverted than his sister.

They exchanged greetings, calling out to one another. Finally, Hu Sanniang made the introductions: "This is the Tiger-Slaying Head Constable Su from Yanggu County, whose skill in wrestling is rare in this world. And this is his brother, Wu Song, who seems proficient in both wrestling and all manner of weapons."

"An honor!"

"Greetings!"

The group exchanged salutes as if this were a common occurrence. Looking around the small training ground, it was already packed with retainers from the three estates.

Hu Sanniang glanced at Su Wu with a smile and asked, "Who will go first?"

Su Wu realized that Hu Sanniang was the host of today’s proceedings.

A youth of about eighteen stepped forward. "I shall spar with Head Constable Su. You excel in wrestling, do you not? Though I use a spear, I am also skilled in hand-to-hand combat."

Zhu Biao of the Zhu Estate. Su Wu suddenly remembered something. There was a betrothal between Zhu Biao and Hu Sanniang. He wasn't sure if it was already finalized, but by the time Song Jiang led the Liangshan forces to attack the Zhu Estate, they were certainly engaged.

He calculated that the attack on the Zhu Estate should be at least two years away.

As Su Wu mused, Zhu Biao called out again, "Head Constable Su..."

Su Wu snapped back to reality. Knowing the young man wanted to show off, he stepped onto the training ground. "Brother Zhu, please!"

Wu Song shouted, "Brother, don't hesitate! Use your strength and don't hold back!"

Zhu Biao rolled up his sleeves and took his stance.

Su Wu remained calm, positioning his feet and holding his fists ready. In the Great Song, unarmed combat was divided into "Sanshou" (free hand) and "Xiangpu" (sumo/wrestling).

Sanshou had taken shape during the Tang Dynasty and was essentially hand-to-hand fighting. This art would later be passed down to Japan, becoming the origin of Karate.

Xiangpu truly took form in the Song Dynasty and was more like a method of wrestling. This, too, would eventually reach Japan, evolving into the sport of two heavyweights pushing and grappling.

At this very moment, there was a hero in Daming Prefecture named Yan Qing who was famous for his wrestling skills.

Whether it was Sanshou or Xiangpu, they amounted to what a modern term would call "no-holds-barred fighting." Punches, kicks, knees, elbows, or wrestling—anything went.

The two men in the ring suddenly surged forward simultaneously. There was no tentative probing; they engaged in a fierce, hard-hitting exchange, their fists and feet whistling through the air.

Wu Song shouted, "Brother, take him down! Don't hold back!"

Wu Song could see that Su Wu was still being soft-hearted—at least, that’s how it looked to him. But to Su Wu, this was only a friendly spar.

After a few rounds, Su Wu realized that Zhu Biao was far inferior to Wu Song in hand-to-hand combat. In fact, Su Wu felt he had plenty of room to maneuver.

Zhu Biao was incredibly strong and knew many techniques, but he had one fatal flaw: he lacked the true, bloodthirsty ferocity of a real fighter.

Su Wu, having mastered many techniques, decided to test them on Zhu Biao.

With a sudden drop of his shoulder, Su Wu lunged forward, his arms wrapping tightly around Zhu Biao’s waist. With a powerful heave, he lifted Zhu Biao off his feet.

As soon as Zhu Biao hit the ground, Su Wu pounced, pinning him down.

In the blink of an eye, Su Wu trapped one of Zhu Biao’s arms, swung a leg over his neck, pressed the other leg against his chest, and arched his hips backward.

Wu Song saw it clearly and roared, "Yes! He’s got him!"

Zhu Biao struggled, but the moment he moved, his arm joint screamed in agony.

Wu Song shouted to the onlookers, "Well? What do you think of my brother’s skill? I bet you’ve never seen anything like it!"

This was the armbar that Su Wu had failed to complete during their last spar; today, he had executed it perfectly.

As Zhu Biao struggled more, Su Wu arched his hips higher, keeping the arm firmly controlled.

Wu Song continued, "Brother Zhu, stop struggling! This is a supreme locking technique. You are already caught; the more you struggle, the more it will hurt. Don't let your arm dislocate. The victor is decided, haha... My brother is truly remarkable!"

With these words and Wu Song’s radiant expression, the faces of everyone watching turned dark, and the retainers were stunned.

Only Hu Sanniang showed a hint of delight.

Zhu Biao was grimacing in pain, yet he refused to utter a word of concession, clearly determined to save face before Hu Sanniang.

Finally, Su Wu released his hold. "Brother Zhu was caught off guard. I was merely lucky."

This saved some face for the other man. Zhu Biao stood up, clutching his injured arm, and after a quick look around, he retreated without a word.

Wu Song could hardly wait. He stood in the center of the training ground. "My brother has had his turn, now it is mine. We are in a hurry, so let’s make it quick. Who’s next?"